US warns Australia's social media algorithm reforms risk 'facilitating censorship'
Washington warned vague harm standards could drive platforms to over-moderate speech and affect users beyond Australia, the embassy said.
- On Tuesday, the United States Embassy in Canberra submitted a formal response expressing "serious concerns" about Australia's proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation, warning the policy risks enabling "viewpoint-based censorship" through mandated platform design requirements.
- Australia's draft legislation requires platforms to offer users a choice between algorithm-recommended content and chronological feeds, a move Washington warns could force tech firms to over-moderate protected speech to avoid regulatory penalties.
- Penalties of up to $109 million could incentivize platforms to pre-emptively demote controversial content, a framework the United States government warned constitutes "extraterritorial censorship of protected speech" affecting users globally.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, rejected claims of government overreach, stating the measure intends to restore individual control over content rather than expand state authority.
- The submission further warned the legislation could damage Australia's "reputation as a jurisdiction that enables innovation," citing concerns that incompatible design mandates are not "technically or commercially scalable" for American-owned platforms.
29 Articles
29 Articles
US warns Australia's social media algorithm reforms risk 'facilitating censorship'
The Trump administration has criticised Australia's proposed social media algorithm reforms, which would give users the option to choose the content on their feeds, warning that Washington would likely view them as "facilitating censorship".
US Warns Australia’s Digital Duty of Care Law Risks ‘Viewpoint-Based Censorship’
US President Donald Trump (R) speaks during a meeting with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Australia PM says draft social media rules about taking back control
In a statement on Tuesday, the US embassy in Canberra raised "serious concerns" over draft laws that would place a "duty of care" on social media giants. Asked about those comments, Albanese told journalists in New York he would "always stand up for Australia's national interest". "It's not about giving government control, it's about giving people back control over what they receive on their devices," Albanese said. "Which is why it is framed in…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
